The First Man You Meet by Debbie Macomber Read Free Book Online

he asked her several questions.
    ‘‘I’ve got everything right here,’’ she assured him, gesturing toward the carton she’d lugged in with her. ‘‘I really am careful about saving everything I should.’’
    Mark glanced down at the large cardboard box. ‘‘This is all for one year?’’
    ‘‘No,’’ she admitted sheepishly. ‘‘I brought along everything I had for the past six years. I mean, it made sense at the time.’’
    ‘‘That really wasn’t necessary.’’
    ‘‘I’d rather be safe than sorry,’’ Shelly said, managing a small grin. She watched Mark as he scrutinized her return. At such close range, she saw that his eyes were even bluer than she’d thought. Blue as the sky on a bright July afternoon, she told herself fancifully. Her heart felt heavy in her chest, and hard as she tried, she couldn’t keep from staring.
    Mark handed back her return. ‘‘Everything looks fine. I don’t think you’ll have a problem.’’
    It was amazing how relieved she felt at hearing that. No, at hearing that from him . Mark smiled at her and Shelly found herself responding readily with a smile of her own. The fluttery sensation returned to her stomach. She knew her eyes were wide and questioning and although she tried to look away, she couldn’t make herself do it.
    A look of surprise mingled with gentleness came over Mark’s features, as if he were seeing her for the first time, really seeing her. He liked what he saw—Shelly could read that in his eyes. Slowly his gaze traveled over her features, and she felt her pulse tripping into double time. The letter she’d received from Aunt Milly flitted across her mind, but instead of dismissing the memory, she wondered, Could there really be something to all this?
    Mark was the one to break eye contact. He stood abruptly and hurried back to his seat. ‘‘I don’t think you have much to be concerned about.’’
    ‘‘Yes, you told me.’’
    ‘‘I mean about your aunt Milly’s wedding dress.’’
    ‘‘I don’t have anything to worry about?’’ Shelly wasn’t sure she understood.
    ‘‘Not with me, at any rate.’’
    ‘‘I don’t quite follow…’’ If he was even half-aware of the way her heart was clamoring as they gazed into each other’s eyes, he wouldn’t be nearly as confident.
    ‘‘I’m engaged.’’
    ‘‘Engaged?’’ Shelly felt as though someone had slugged her in the stomach. Her first reaction was anger. ‘‘You couldn’t have mentioned this sooner?’’ she snapped.
    ‘‘It’s not official yet. Janice hasn’t picked out a diamond. Nor have we discussed our plans with her family.’’
    The irritation faded, swallowed by an overwhelming sense of relief. ‘‘Engaged,’’ she repeated, reminding herself that she really had no interest in marriage. And this proved there was no such thing as a ‘‘magic’’ wedding dress. If Mark was involved with Janice, he wouldn’t be free to marry her. It was that simple. Shelly leaped to her feet and started to pace.
    ‘‘Are you all right?’’ Mark asked. ‘‘You’re looking pale.’’
    She nodded and pressed her hands to her cheeks, whichsuddenly felt hot. ‘‘I’m so relieved,’’ she whispered hoarsely. ‘‘You have no idea how relieved I am. You’re engaged… My goodness, I feel like I’ve got a new lease on life.’’
    ‘‘As I explained,’’ Mark said, frowning, ‘‘it isn’t official yet.’’
    ‘‘That doesn’t matter. You’re committed to someone else and that’s all that matters. However—’’ she forced a smile ‘‘—you might have said something sooner and saved me all this anxiety.’’
    ‘‘You did ask that day at the mall, but I was more concerned with avoiding a scene than revealing the personal details of my life.’’
    ‘‘I’m sorry about that.’’
    ‘‘No problem,’’ Mark was quick to assure her.
    Shelly settled back in the chair and crossed her legs, hoping to stroke a relaxed pose. She